Don't Strive To Be A Leading Company, Strive to Lead

Dell is a leading company but Apple leads. American Airlines is a leading company but Southwest Airlines leads. Kroger's is a leading company with over 2,400 supermarkets, but with only 270 stores both in the US and UK combined, Whole Foods leads.

There is a difference between being a leading company and being a company that leads. A leading company may have the biggest market share or have the most revenues, but they don't lead the industry. A company that leads sets the tone for all others to follow. Though leading companies may be bigger, companies that lead are more innovative, more profitable and command greater loyalty.

You made an extremely interesting point that I want to emphasize because it is one that I have spoken about at a number of seminars. You discussed how some of the most innovative ideas were born because of a void in the founder’s life. You used the example of home care and burgers, and I believe this is true in almost every situation. Just the other day, I was coaching someone who is a financially successful individual and a leader (based on hierarchy) at his company, but feels like his identity has become his career. He is not in a position that enables creations to take place and he yearns to utilize his creative energy in order to develop something that never existed before. He started to become a victim in his situation as he said that all of his passion has died. I explained that it did not die, but rather it is currently lying dormant and you must find a way to reignite what makes you…YOU! We began talking about current voids within his line of business and what can be created in order to fill this empty space and make things more efficient. After an intense brain storming session, he discovered something that brought passion to his life as he is now ready and prepared to enter into the category of “those who lead,” as he sets the stage for the industry. I thought you would enjoy this story….Great work!